David Taylor
Principal
A Career Dedicated to Fighting for Your Rights
My entire career has been driven by one principle: fighting for the rights of individuals against powerful opposition. It began with my work as a Union Industrial Officer and has defined my path as a lawyer, taking on fights that matter and securing justice for my clients.
I am an expert litigator with a focus on complex and difficult litigation that requires tenacity, judgment and compassion.
My work focuses on Wills & Estates litigation, on Employment and Industrial Law, and on supporting our work for victims of asbetsos and other occupational diseases.
A Champion for Employees and Unions
Since 2007, I have also practiced extensively in employment and industrial law, becoming an Accredited Specialist in Employment & Industrial Law in 2010 and a partner at my previous firm. I provide expert representation for individuals and unions in complex workplace matters.
My experience includes acting in some of Australia’s most significant industrial disputes and precedent-setting cases:
- Qantas Industrial Dispute: I was the solicitor for the Australian & International Pilots Association during the historic 2011-12 dispute that resulted in the grounding of the entire Qantas fleet.
- Banking Royal Commission: I acted for the Finance Sector Union in the Hayne Royal Commission into Banking.
- Landmark Sexual Harassment Claim: I have run several successful sexual harassment claims that have resulted in significant awards for a woman who suffered serious psychological trauma due to workplace harassment and victimisation.
- Independent Contractors Act: I won the first successful claim ever run under this complex legislation.
Fighting for fairness in Wills and Estates
Increasingly I have worked helping clients with difficult wills and estate disputes. Over the last five years I have:
- Achieve significant victories for clients in family provision claims in New South Wales and Testator’s Maintenance Claims in Victoria
- Acted in respect of a large estate that was in both Croatia and Australia to ensure the deceased’s will was given effect to.
- Successfully acted for young children in the Philippines in respect of their father’s estate in Australia.
Victims of Asbestos Disease
I consider it a profound privilege to represent people during the most difficult time of their lives. For years, I have helped lead the prosecution of claims for victims of asbestos diseases, and I am humbled by the trust my clients place in me.
This work has involved taking on landmark test cases that have had a significant and lasting impact on Australian law. My work led to a landmark High Court rulings that fundamentally changed the law, including a critical decision that now requires insurers to prove the limits of an insurance policy, shifting the burden of proof away from the victims.
Our Mission at Segelov Taylor
In 2016, Tanya Segelov and I established Segelov Taylor to build a different kind of law firm. Our mission is to combine the highest level of specialist expertise with a truly personal commitment to every client, ensuring you have a fierce and dedicated advocate in your corner.
